Wait? CT Has Vineyards?

A few weeks ago, I was on a cruise and chatting with another couple when I mentioned that I own a vineyard tour business in Connecticut. The wife looked at me and said, "Connecticut has vineyards?"
I laughed. They were from California, so I'll give them a pass.

But then, just a few weeks later, I was attending a Small Business Summit right here in Connecticut. I mentioned my vineyard tour business to the person sitting next to me and she said "Connecticut has vineyards?"
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And that, my friends, is not acceptable.

How do you live in a state with 55 farm wineries, 35 tasting rooms, an official Wine Trail, a Passport Program, wine festivals, vineyard concerts, and thousands of acres of vineyards and not know they exist? At that moment, I realized something: the problem isn't that Connecticut vineyards aren't worth visiting. The problem is that we're doing a terrible job telling people they exist.

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Connecticut's Wine Industry Isn't New
One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that Connecticut is somehow new to wine. We're not.
Grapes have been grown in Connecticut almost as long as Europeans have been living here. More importantly, Connecticut vineyards have been welcoming visitors into tasting rooms since 1978. That's nearly 50 years of people gathering with friends, enjoying local wine, and supporting Connecticut agriculture.

These aren't brand-new wineries trying to figure things out. Many Connecticut vineyards have spent decades refining their craft, expanding their offerings, and creating beautiful destinations that attract visitors from all over New England. Yet somehow, people still act surprised when they find out we have vineyards at all.

"But Is The Wine Actually Good?"
Let's address the question people are often too polite to ask.

Yes. The wine is good.

In fact, that's probably the second biggest surprise visitors experience after discovering Connecticut has vineyards in the first place. People assume great wine can only come from California, France, Italy, or some vineyard that's been making wine for hundreds of years. The reality is that you don't need to be a centuries-old vineyard in Europe to make excellent wine.

Connecticut winemakers have spent decades learning what grows best in our climate, experimenting with grape varieties, and producing wines that regularly surprise first-time visitors. I've watched countless guests arrive skeptical and leave carrying bottles back to their cars. Not because someone convinced them to buy wine, but because they genuinely enjoyed it.

The Best Part Isn't Even The Wine
I know that sounds strange coming from someone who owns a vineyard tour business, but hear me out.
My favorite thing about Connecticut vineyards has very little to do with what's in the glass and everything to do with the atmosphere. Every vineyard we visit is relaxed, welcoming, and unpretentious. They're places where you can sit with friends, have a conversation, listen to live music, take pictures, enjoy the scenery, and simply slow down for a few hours.

In a world where everyone is constantly checking notifications, answering emails, and running from one obligation to the next, Connecticut vineyards offer something that's becoming surprisingly rare: the opportunity to just be present.

There's no rush. No pressure. No need to be an expert. Just good company, beautiful views, and a chance to breathe.

"I Don't Like Wine"
That's okay.
Seriously.
One of my coworkers came to a bachelorette party for my boss last year and announced that she didn't like wine. She had already volunteered herself to be the designated driver.
I laughed and told her not to worry because my husband was driving and I was pretty sure I could help her find something she'd enjoy.

We started with a wine spritzer and a lot of club soda. Every refill had a little less club soda and a little more wine. By the end of the day, she was happily drinking wine.

Will it ever become her favorite beverage? Maybe not. But she discovered that wine wasn't necessarily the problem. She just hadn't found the right wine yet.

And even if she hadn't, she still would have had options.

Many Connecticut vineyards also offer Sangria and Frozès (which is still wine but, like, not straight wine), local beer, hard cider, soda, sparkling water, lemonade, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Some of them are even starting to carry local hard seltzers, which I'm personally excited about.

At Middle of the Vines, we even offer a Zero Proof option because spending the day with your friends shouldn't depend on whether you're drinking alcohol. Whether you're pregnant, the designated driver, sober, or simply don't feel like drinking, you deserve to be part of the experience too.
The truth is that Connecticut vineyards aren't just for wine lovers.
They're for everyone.

More Than Just A Glass Of Wine
One of the comments I hear most often from guests isn't about the wine at all.
It's about how relaxing the day was.
When someone else handles the planning, the driving, the reservations, and the logistics, you get to focus on the people you're with. You get to enjoy the scenery. You get to laugh a little more. You get to be in the moment instead of worrying about what's next.

I've had guests tell me afterward that they didn't know what to expect from a vineyard tour. What they found was a carefree day with friends, beautiful Connecticut scenery, and a chance to unwind. Honestly, that's what keeps me coming back too.

So... Connecticut Has Vineyards?
Yes.
We do.
We've had them for decades.
They're beautiful. They're welcoming. The people are wonderful. And the wine is far better than most people expect.
So if you're looking for things to do near Mystic, now you know Connecticut has vineyards.
The only question is where to start.

If you'd like someone else to handle the planning, book a Middle of the Vines tour. We'll bring you to three local vineyards, lunch from Rocks 21 is included, and you'll receive a beverage at each stop—wine, beer, cider, hard seltzer, or a Zero Proof option.
All you have to do is get yourself to (and then from) Rocks 21 in Mystic.
We'll handle the rest.
And by the end of the day, you'll be able to tell all your friends what I keep telling everyone else:
Not only does Connecticut have vineyards...
The wine is actually really good.